UA Little Rock Welcomes Students with Welcome Week 2026
Kick off the fall semester with free food, giveaways, and plenty of Trojan spirit during UA Little Rock’s Welcome Week, Aug. 20-28.
Whether you’re moving into the residence halls, stepping onto campus for the first time, or returning for another year, Welcome Week is packed with opportunities to make new friends, discover campus resources, and celebrate the start of an exciting academic year. From returning favorites like Casino Night, to Centennial celebrations and the debut of Trojan Forge, there’s something for every Trojan.
Welcome Week begins Thursday, Aug. 20, with the Welcome Back BBQ from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Trojan Lane, inviting students and their families to settle in and get a taste of campus spirit. Later that evening, cheer on the Little Rock Soccer team as the Trojans open the season against the University of Miami from 6 to 9 p.m., with free admission and free food for attendees.
Families take center stage Friday, Aug. 21, during the first-ever Resident Parent Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Donaghey Student Center (DSC). Campus Living is introducing this event to give parents and students a fresh opportunity to connect with staff, ask questions, and share one last goodbye before the semester begins.
Saturday, Aug. 22, turns up the fun with RecFest from 2 to 5 p.m. at the DSC Fitness and Aquatics Center, featuring games, contests, music, and free swag for the first 100 students. Then grab some friends and relax with snacks and a featured film during An Evening at the Movies from 6 to 9 p.m.
As the weekend winds down Sunday, Aug. 23, take the stage for karaoke from 2 to 4 p.m. in the DSC Upper Concourse and belt out your favorite songs with fellow Trojans.
The first day of classes arrives Monday, Aug. 24, along with the First Day of Class Photo and Centennial Celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Trojan Way. Snap a commemorative photo, sign the Centennial banner, and share your vision for UA Little Rock’s next 100 years before wrapping up the evening at the Block Party on Trojan Lane from 6 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 25, offers one of Welcome Week’s busiest lineups. Start the day with Paws and Relax from 10 a.m. to noon on the first floor of the Ottenheimer Library, where free spirit shirts await, along with friendly therapy dogs ready for belly rubs. At noon, celebrate the grand opening of Trojan Forge, UA Little Rock’s new makerspace designed for hands-on creativity and collaboration, then end the evening at longtime Welcome Week favorite, Casino Night, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Trojan Cafe. Test your poker face, roll the dice, and try your luck at classic casino games, with fun money keeping the competition friendly.
Looking to find your community? Wednesday, Aug. 26, features Meet the Greeks from 6 to 8 p.m. in the DSC (Ledbetter rooms A-C), where students can connect with fraternity and sorority members and explore Greek life, which has more than doubled in membership in recent years.
On Thursday, Aug. 27, start your morning at the campus Starbucks, where new men’s basketball coach Travis Ford will be a guest server from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. Later that day, bring your best random facts to Trivia Night, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Ottenheimer Library Room 202. Enjoy free food, compete for prizes, and see who earns ultimate bragging rights.
Welcome Week comes to a delicious close Friday, Aug. 28, with Food Truck Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the DSC Trojan Cafe. Celebrate making it through the first week of classes with delicacies from local food trucks, music, and dancing before heading into the weekend.
From making new connections to discovering campus traditions, Welcome Week is the perfect introduction to life at UA Little Rock. A full list of Welcome Week events — and additional details on them — is available online.